Federal mediation failed to solve the differences between the NHL and NHLPA, so with time running short, maybe someone with more of a connection to hockey would be helpful. (AP Photos)

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Santa Claus

Might as well give the big guy a try, right? He’s a little busy right now, but maybe next week. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Alan Eagleson

Sure, the NHLPA founder went to prison for defrauding the union, but he was good at getting deals done, right (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)

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Snooki

With “Jersey Shore” going off the air, the NHL lockout can freely call itself the most pointless thing going. Why not bring in an experienced hand to help out? (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

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Liam Neeson

The Oscar nominee is a regular at Rangers games, and all it would take for him to settle things would be to lean over the negotiating table and say, in his voice from Taken, “I will find you…” (M. Bragard/Universum Film/dapd/AP)

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Charles Oakley

Oak serves a similar purpose to Neeson. He also spent lots of time at the Garden and almost certainly talked to some Rangers at one time or another. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Louis CK

Louie is a hockey fan. He is also the best, and as a comedian is pretty familiar with jokes. Joke-familiarity is a plus. (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri)

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A basket of puppies

Who could say no to this? (Ed.'s note: The puppies' connection to the lockout is unclear, but they are puppies.) (Photo: Thinkstock)

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Mickey Mouse

In 1984, Wayne Gretzky took some heat for calling the Devils a “Mickey Mouse operation.” In 2012, a lot of fans feel that way about the league. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Jason Alexander

From his days playing George Costanza, he knows that “it’s not a lie if you believe it,” which applies to both the NHL and NHLPA in their PR spin battle. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

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In-N-Out Burger

Nobody can resist the power of a Double-Double. Not even Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Ed.'s note: Another tenuous/nonexistant hockey link.) (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, Pool)

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Ray Romano

Everybody loves him! And he apparently played a sportswriter on that show. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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Tim Tebow

Even if he can’t settle the lockout, he can give the NHL some pointers on how to be popular without actually playing professional sports. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)